Charcoal Kilns Interpretive Site ID
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Description: In the 1880s, the Birch Creek Valley was a hive of activity, with miners diligently working a lucrative ore deposit known as the Viola Mine, located approximately 10 miles to the east of the Kilns. Discovered in 1881, this mine yielded an impressive $2,500,000 worth of lead and silver before its ore reserves were depleted in 1888. To extract the valuable metals from the ore, a smelter was established in close proximity to the mine. This smelting facility boasted two blast furnaces, each with the capacity to process 40 tons of ore daily. The operation demanded substantial quantities of fuel, prompting the construction of the Charcoal Kilns.